H.F. 2917 Summary

• Modifies the distribution of lottery in lieu tax revenues under Minnesota Statutes section 297A.94 by changing the percentage allocated to natural resources from 72.43% to 97%.

• Increases funding for heritage enhancement, state parks and trails, metropolitan park and trail grants, local trail grants, and zoo operations through the higher percentage allocation.

• The revised 97% of lottery revenues transmitted under section 297A.65 must be deposited as follows: 50% to heritage enhancement account in game and fish fund, 22.5% each to state parks/trails and metropolitan park/trail grants, 3% to local trail grants, and 2% to Minnesota Zoological Garden, Como Park Zoo, and Duluth Zoo.

• Maintains existing requirement that dedicated lottery revenue supplements rather than substitutes for traditional funding sources for natural resources purposes.

• Specifies that at least 87% of game and fish fund money must be allocated for field operations, and land acquired must remain open to public hunting and fishing during open seasons.